Wednesday, August 9, 2017

Moscow meets Manhattan-Dueling Pianos Plus

Two masterful pianists take audiences around the world with aneclectic repertoire from Argentina, Spain, Hungary, Russia and America.International award-winning pianist/vocalist Katherine Alexandra challenges renownedAmerican piano powerhouse Brian Gurl in this stunningly diverse and innovative production -playing at the Diana Wortham Theatre, Saturday August 26, 2017 at 7:30 pm. Performing aneclectic and highly entertaining fusion of classical, pop, jazz & ethnic folk genres - plus comedyand novelty pieces with shades of Victor Borge - this unique pairing of “Russian Phenom &American Piano Man” has been wowing audiences nationwide for over three yearsin theaters, festivals and performing arts venues.“This is an act as good as anything to be seen in Vegas or any other entertainment mecca”Sun NewsJoining Brian and Katherine are Grammy Award winning bassist Eliot Wadopian and orchestraland jazz drummer Byron Hedgepeth. Moscow Meets Manhattan takes the audience “AroundThe World in 88 Keys” - featuring pieces from Argentina, Spain, Hungary, Russia and America -including such beloved favorites as Malaguena, Lieber Tango and others. Utilizing both theirexceptional artistry and delightful personalities, Brian & Katherine skillfully compliment andplayfully challenge each other on both one and two pianos - highlighted by their exhilarating,often humorous musical arrangements. Enhancing this remarkable diversity are lush vocalduets ( Phantom Of The Opera / West Side Story), Brian’s virtuoso melodica playing and anengaging rapport with the audience.From Ragtime to Rachmaninoff, Billy Joel to Broadway and Gypsy Folk Songs to TheTango, Moscow Meets Manhattan - Dueling Pianos Plus is a class act in a fun-filled package.Brian Gurl, an “out of this world” creative pianist, has received accolades nationally for hispowerful musical arrangements - including from renowned pianist Roger Williams. Adept atjazz, boogie-woogie, ragtime, pop, latin, rock, Broadway and nearly every genre imaginable- aswell as enjoying an extensive background in voice, dance and theater, Brian has co-written andstarred in over twenty different musical stage productions that have toured nationallyincludingfour that feature Katherine.“Brian’s powerful piano playing is like a combination of Vladimir Horowitz, Liberace andRoger Williams” Asheville Citizen TimesKatherine Alexandra, born and raised in Russia and now an American citizen, is a graduateof the Moscow Conservatory Of Music, Summa Cum Laude in piano performance. She studiedvoice at the Moscow Music College - as well as in Spain where she lived and performed for overthree years. She has since expanded beyond her “legit” vocal background to become a veryexpressive pop vocalist- singing in five languages and covering material from Sarah Brightmanto Celine Dion to Katy Perry.The Diana Wortham Theatre is located at 18 Biltmore Avenue. Patrons enter the theatre throughthe breezeway between Marble Slab Creamery and White Duck Taco, and into a large interiorcourtyard with multiple glass doors leading to the theatre’s lower lobby and box office. Theintimate theatre seats just over 500 and boasts exceptional acoustics and sightlines, making itthe premier performance space in Western North Carolina.